True/false: 9 questions we ask ourselves about chocolate

© Getty Images

2/9 –

Chocolate is an aphrodisiac
FAKE. For a very long time, chocolate has had the reputation of being an aphrodisiac, but this is not the case. Certainly, it contains phenylethylamine also called “pleasure hormone” but to see an aphrodisiac effect you would have to eat astronomical quantities. Likewise, this hormone triggers a secretion of dopamine in the body, another hormone of the sensation of pleasure and which contributes to orgasm. However, that doesn’t give it any exciting virtues.

3/9 –

Chocolate makes you gain weight
TRUE. Chocolate is one of the most caloric foods, just like peanuts and even more than foie gras. It is rich in lipids and sugars. However, it all depends on how much you eat to say that it is fattening. If you consume it in excess, then it is obvious that you will gain weight. Also note that there is little difference in calories between dark chocolate and milk chocolate, around 10 g. The only difference between the two comes from where the calories come from. They are found in fats for dark chocolate and in sugar for milk chocolate.

© Getty Images

4/9 –

Chocolate gives migraines
FAKE. Although chocolate contains tyramine and phenylethylamine, substances that can induce migraines, they are present in too small quantities to cause a migraine attack on their own. If you eat other foods containing tyramine such as wine, brewer’s yeast, Camembert, Roquefort, Gruyère, Brie or smoked sausages, then you will have a greater risk of having a migraine.

5/9 –

Eating too much chocolate causes a liver attack
FAKE. Chocolate alone is not responsible for the famous “liver crisis” that we encounter during the holidays. It’s eating a lot and eating richly. Moreover, it is not the liver that is damaged but the gallbladder. The latter will struggle to provide the sufficient quantity of bile to digest the fats of the many foods ingested. This is why we can feel heaviness or even nausea when we eat too many fatty foods.

© Getty Images

6/9 –

Chocolate causes acne
FAKE. The skin reacts to stress or poor diet which causes blemishes and skin problems. If you eat a balanced diet, there is no problem in having a little chocolate on the side. On the other hand, if you consume excessive foods (fat, sugar, alcohol, salt, etc. including chocolate), your skin will let you know with pimples.

© Getty Images

7/9 –

Chocolate is good for morale
True and false. Several substances that can have positive psychological effects are contained in chocolate: theobromine which affects mood, phenylethylamine and tyramine which have well-being effects and which have a molecular structure close to amphetamine, serotonin which has an antidepressant role. However, these substances are present in too small quantities to attribute to them a notable effect on morale. Very often, it is rather dopamine, the pleasure hormone, which we secrete after biting into a good piece of chocolate. Yes, a food that we love and that reminds us of good times and it immediately feels better!

© Getty Images

8/9 –

Chocolate causes cavities
FAKE. Consumed reasonably and associated with good oral hygiene, i.e. two toothbrushings per day with fluoridated toothpaste, chocolate does not cause cavities. The polyphenols contained in cocoa even inhibit certain oral bacteria and therefore reduce the risk of developing cavities.

© Getty Images

9/9 –

White chocolate is not chocolate
TRUE. Although it’s called chocolate, white chocolate actually only contains cocoa butter to give it the name. It is associated with milk, a lot of sugar and vanilla. It is best to consume it only occasionally and not to abuse it.